Rheumatology
What is Rheumatology?
Sometimes, pain in the musculoskeletal system is not due to simple injury. Inflammatory conditions of the immune system can cause various symptoms that can mask as injury.
Rheumatology is a medical science dedicated to the treatment of these rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatic diseases often involve bones, joints, tendons and muscles.
Features of these conditions can include:
- Swelling of joints without injury
- Pain not associated with use but occurring even at rest
- Recurrent pain and swelling in joints
- The involvement of more than one joint
- Associated symptoms involving other tissues, like psoriasis, bowel or eye symptoms
- Family history of immune conditions
A sports centre rheumatologist is ideally positioned to determine if the condition is a result of accident, injury, inactivity, genetics or any other cause. Many rheumatic problems develop over time, and a specialist will understand the various symptoms of both recent injuries and older, progressive ailments. Rheumatic diseases include:
- Degenerative conditions related to osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis and gout
- Connective tissue diseases, often caused by irregularities in autoimmune system
Obtaining an accurate diagnosis and understanding the treatment options is essential as many of these conditions are chronic in nature. Treatment can involve medication, exercise and occasionally surgery. Rheumatologists are specialist physicians who are experts in this field and can help guide your treatment.
Associate Professor Les Schrieber
Rheumatologist
Les Schrieber is an Associate Professor in Medicine at the University of Sydney in the Department of Rheumatology at Royal North Shore Hospital. He has also worked at the North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre as a consultant rheumatologist for the last 6 years. He has a long standing interest in inflammatory rheumatic disease.
Professor Lyn March
Rheumatologist
Professor March has a conjoint appointment with the University of Sydney and the Royal North Shore Hospital in the Sydney Medical School and Professorial Department of Rheumatology. She has 20 years of experience as a consultant rheumatologist and has remained very active in research and teaching.
Dr Leticia Deveza
Rheumatologist
Dr Leticia Deveza is a rheumatologist and Fellow of the RACP. She also holds a position as a lecturer and post doctoral fellow at the University of Sydney. She completed her PhD in 2019 and continues actively engaged in research and teaching of medical students.
Dr Shirley Yu
Rheumatologist
Shirley is a consultant rheumatologist who graduated from the University of New South Wales. She has done further specialist training at Canberra, Royal Prince Alfred and Royal North Shore Hospitals and is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.